SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 26, Issue 8, 1 August 1936, Page 5

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.

This statement is commended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and is issued on behalf of the Archbishops of York and Wales and many Diocesan Bishops. We believe that our nation is suffering serious loss through widespread misunderstanding and misuse of Sunday. As Bishops of the Church we therefore remind Christian people of the true nature of the day and the purposes for which it was instituted. First, Sunday is the Lord's day. It is the weekly commemoration of His Resurrection. For Christians, therefore, it should be a day of worship and a day of thanksgiving. Secondly, Sunday, is the day of rest. The principle of one day of rest m seven was observed m the Jewish Law, and has been justified by human experience. AH men need a weekly day of rest. The conditions of modern life make this more necessary than ever if the nervous energy of the nation is to be maintained. Every Christian ought therefore to regard himself as a trustee both for himself and others of that inheritance of Sunday rest and worship which Christianity has hitherto preserved. Accordingly, we urged upon the attention of Christian people the following principles:-— 1. Christians will use the day as a day of religion, for the united worship of God and the strengthening of their own spiritual life. They will do this best by attendance at the services of the Church, especially the Holy Communion, and by giving time to reading, prayer and meditation.

2. Christians will be careful so to order their Sundays that other people shall not be deprived of the same opportunities for worship and rest as they desire to safeguard for themselves and their families. Transport and other workers should never be continuously employed on Sundays, and should have at least some Sundays free from work. Christians will ask for no labour from others save what is necessary for the general welfare. 3. Christians, although healthy recreations and amusements are not forbidden to them on Sundays, will not occupy themselves with pastimes at the expense of their religious duties and responsibilities. They will seek for opportunities of active Christian service on Sundays as on other days. 4. Christians, while defending Sunday as a day of rest and spiritual opportunity, will recognise that there are many people who live m circumstances which make change of air and scene on Sunday desirable for their welfare. Such people, if they are Christians, will be careful to make use on each Sunday of opportunities of worship. 5. Christians will also recognise their obligation to assist by their witness and influence the common cause of preserving Sunday from encroachment. For the sake of the nations moral character and physical welfare they will oppose all enterprises which m the interests of commercial advantage or their own enjoyment would make Sunday like any other day m the week. Christian, public opinion should honour and support all those who at cost to themselves refuse to deviate from the principles herein set forth.